ACH Affirms Commitment to Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) in Vance County Jail, North Carolina
(Henderson, North Carolina) – Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc. (“ACH”) recognizes the importance of providing compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD), including those incarcerated in Vance County Jail.
In response to recent media inquiries, ACH emphasizes that medical care for OUD is delivered directly by the jail’s healthcare staff in line with U.S. Department of Justice guidance. Treatment is tailored to each individual’s needs, and may include a variety of clinically appropriate interventions, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) when deemed suitable by the medical team.
Decisions regarding medications from outside providers may sometimes be adjusted or discontinued. These decisions are based solely on the jail medical staff’s professional judgment and the health needs of each patient. Reports suggesting that Vance County Jail prohibits MAT outright are inaccurate. ACH remains committed to ensuring individuals with OUD have access to care guided by both medical best practices and individualized assessments.
The Department of Justice has affirmed that the Americans with Disabilities Act requires jails to evaluate medical needs on an individual basis and prohibits categorical restrictions on FDA-approved treatments for OUD without an individualized assessment. ¹,²
“Every person struggling with opioid use disorder deserves compassion and access to care that supports recovery,” says Dr. William Dennis, Chief Medical Officer of USA Medical & Psychological Staffing. “Our goal is to meet people where they are and provide the treatment that gives them the best chance to heal, even while in custody. We know that addiction doesn’t stop at the jail door, and neither should treatment. Our medical teams are dedicated to making sure every patient receives the care they need, guided by both science and empathy.”
¹ LaBelle, R., Weizman, S., Canzater, S. Myers, L., Goshal, M., Ewing, K., & Chin, B. (2022). Managing substance withdrawal in jails: A legal brief, Bureau of Justice Assistance. NCJ 304066. https://bja.ojp.gov/doc/managing-substance-withdrawal-in-jails.pdf
² U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs. (2025). Justice Department files statement of interest in case alleging Pennsylvania jail unlawfully denied access to medication to treat opioid use disorder. https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-files-statement-interest-case-alleging-pennsylvania-jail-unlawfully
About Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc.
Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc. is a family-owned, values-led, contract management company that offers ethical, comprehensive services tailored to populations nationwide. ACH has been awarded two Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics, honored at Music City's Community Choice Awards for having the Best Employee Recognition Program, named “Best Hospital & Health Care Business of the Year” in the Global 100 Awards, and in 2025 was certified as a Great Place to Work for the 10th consecutive year. In 2024, ACH saved over $15.5 million in taxpayer dollars through bill scrubbing. From 2019 to 2024, over 105% of contracted nursing hours were met nationwide, and more than 120 patient lives were saved. Learn more at advancedch.com.
